The 59th Annual CMA Awards were held last night, broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Going into the night, the ladies held the advantage, with host Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and Megan Moroney leading the way with six nominations each.
Some of the evening’s high points:
- Lainey Wilson crushed it for her first solo stint as host, kicking off the show by singing a medley of hits to the stars that originally sang them (Gretchen Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Shaboozey). It was a big night for Lainey overall, who took home Entertainer of the Year honors, becoming only the third female to do so twice (following Barbara Mandrell and Taylor Swift)
- Vince Gill received the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson lifetime achievement award, presented by George Strait
- Steve Martin showed off his banjo skills prior to presenting “Album of the Year” to Lainey Wilson
- Kenny Chesney offered up performances of “American Kids” and “When The Sun Goes Down,” paying tribute to the song’s co-writer, the late Brett James
- Megan Moroney officially ushered in her “Pink Era,” as she performed “6 Months Later” surrounded by a lot of pink
- Zach Top won the Best New Artist award, accepting his award in true country style: with beer in hand, explaining to the crowd that he couldn’t remember if he was supposed to put his beer down or not, finally saying “Here it is,” before downing a celebratory sip
So how were the trophies distributed? The nominees and winners can be found below:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” – Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
WINNER: “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; Producer: Will Bundy; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
Album of the Year
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone; Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
I’m the Problem – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
WINNER: Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Song of the Year
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
“4x4xU”; Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?”; Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie”; Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas” ; Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
WINNER: “You Look Like You Love Me”; Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Combs
WINNER: Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
WINNER: The Red Clay Strays
Vocal Duo of the Year
WINNER: Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
Musical Event of the Year
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley); Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll; Producer: Micah Nichols
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood); Producer: Trent Willmon
WINNER: “Pour Me a Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney); Producer: Kristian Bush
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
WINNER: Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
Music Video of the Year
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood); Director: Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson; Director: TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton; Director: Running Bear
WINNER: “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
New Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
WINNER: Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
